Insiders on Capitol Hill and in Orlando say they expect businessman Bruce O’Donoghue (R) to enter the 8th District race against Democratic freshman Rep. Alan Grayson and that a campaign announcement is expected shortly.

“Things are progressing, and hopefully Bruce will be getting into the race soon,” said O’Donoghue adviser Michael Luethy on Monday.

O’Donoghue has emerged as the top choice of national and state Republican officials after a series of potential top-tier contenders passed on the chance to challenge Grayson, who created a firestorm in September when he suggested on the House floor that the GOP health care plans call for people who get sick to “die quickly.”